Fifty-Five
OceanofPDF.com
Dianna
I dug my hands into the soft ground as I climbed back up the hill I had
fallen down. Reaching the top, I paused to catch my breath. I looked
down the narrow dirt path that cut through the forest, branching in all different directions. The sun was no longer visible over the trees. I had been out here longer than I intended. Shit. I could have sworn we’d been down this path before, yet I didn’t remember the steep edge along this section.
I dusted myself off, staggering as my thigh protested the movement.
Great, I would probably bruise. I sighed and headed back the way I’d come.
No birds or small animals fluttered about, and I wondered if this place had any. I hadn’t seen or heard any, now that I thought about it. I stopped, noting a familiar log ahead.
I threw my hands up in exasperation. “Oh, come on! I swear I walked this way five minutes ago,” I said, realizing how utterly lost I was.
It would be so much easier if I could change forms. If I could make myself a beast or wyvern as before, I could escape and go wherever I wanted. I’d tried every day since waking up to change or summon my flames, but nothing came. Only frustration, anger, and something that felt like relief, but I refused to think about that last one too much.
All the trees and boulders looked the same here, and I couldn’t see any hint of the palace. I would probably kiss the stone floor once I reached that damned castle.
I headed back the way I’d come and let my mind wander for the first time in a really long time. I had no powers, or rather, as Samkiel liked to remind me, my powers were severely repressed, and I was stuck here for gods knew how long. Maybe the council would decide I was too terrible to
exist and put an end to me. An odd sense of comfort washed over me at that thought. It wasn’t like anyone would miss me. Samkiel was probably sick of me and our constant back-and-forth bickering by now, and he had Imogen. Maybe that was why he’d stayed gone so long and hadn’t come back. She might have helped him relax after those long, torturous council meetings and my vicious words. Maybe she would slip a hand along his thigh under the table, or they would take each other behind those fancy columns I had seen the first time he brought me here. I was probably just a burden to him now, something to come back to because he had no choice.
A cold feeling washed over me, numbing my emotions. Maybe I should just get lost in the forest. It would be better for everyone, especially Samkiel. No one would look for me here, and by the time they did, I would be long gone. A pile of bones near a tree for the animals to feast on. I wondered if there was peace in the afterworld for a creature like me.
The ground shook behind me, stopping me mid-step. I sighed and rolled my eyes. Of course, the universe would check my hubris and send some
giant monster to eat me.
“Where the fuck have you been?”
My shoulders bunched, and I spun around. The gorgeous blonde celestial stalked toward me. His long black jacket flowed past his calves, the gold accent buttons catching the light.
There was another thud, and the ground trembled as Xavier landed behind me. “Cameron.” His smooth voice calmed even my nerves.
Cameron stopped a foot away from me, rubbing his brow. “Sorry. Let
me rephrase. Where have you been?”
“How did you find me?”
Cameron snorted. “Well, if I couldn’t find you by smell alone, you sound like a wild beast stomping through the forest.”
I lifted my arm and sniffed. Did I stink?
“Gods, look at you. Your clothes are disgusting, and you absolutely reek.” His face dropped, and he looked at Xavier behind me. “Oh, gods, if she gets sick, Samkiel will slaughter us all.”
Xavier chuckled and stepped to my side. He wore the same outfit as Cameron. “She is fine and alive, and so will we be.”
“Please, two more minutes, and she would have attracted some beast looking for an easy snack.” Cameron blanched.
Xavier shrugged. “It’s not our fault the meeting went over.”
The meeting where Samkiel said he would be. Imogen was probably there. They were definitely together and—
“How long do meetings take?” I asked, distracting myself from those thoughts.
Cameron grinned at me, and I immediately regretted asking. “Why? You wouldn’t miss him, would you?”
“No.” I swallowed but didn’t back down. “I was just curious.”
Cameron shrugged. “Meetings don’t take that long.”
My stomach dropped as Xavier glanced at Cameron, then back toward me.
“I wouldn’t worry about the meeting, though,” Xavier quipped.
“Why?”
Xavier scratched his head, turning away from me.
“What is it?” I couldn’t stop the worry that suddenly filled my gut.
Cameron folded his arms. “I don’t know. It’s just the last time I saw him, he was with ….” Cameron slapped Xavier’s shoulder. “What’s that one really pretty celestial’s name? The one who runs behind Rolluse filing every incident?”
Xavier placed his hand under his chin as if thinking. “Lydia?”
“Yeah! Lydia.” Cameron balanced an arm on Xavier’s shoulder. “Yeah, the last time I saw him, he was with Lydia. All I know is he was upstairs with her last night, and from the sounds of it, things were pretty intense.
Maybe he had some steam to blow off, especially after what Logan said you told him.”
I growled and took a step forward. Even without my fangs, it was enough to make Cameron take a step back.
“Ha, I win!” Cameron yelled.
“Fine.” Xavier rolled his eyes and dug into his coat pocket. He pulled out a gold coin and flicked it toward Cameron, who caught it.
“Told you,” Cameron quipped, tucking the coin away. “Absence makes the dick grow harder.”
Xavier laughed and shook his head. “That’s not the saying.”
“Wait.” I raised my hands. “You were joking?”
“Of course,” Cameron said.
The blinding rage that had threatened to consume me eased, and my gut settled.
“Feel better, don’t you?” Cameron wiggled his brows.
“I would rip your organs out again if I could.” I snapped back.
Cameron smiled a fraction wider. “Don’t worry. He’s not getting his knob polished while you suffer. I think he’s just staying away because you’re so mean.”
Xavier glared at him. “I am sorry for Cameron. Logan told us what you said, and I guess Samkiel thinks it’s better to give you space.”
I nodded, but Cameron was right. I was mean, and I just didn’t know how else to be anymore. Something in me had fractured so badly when Gabby died that even picking up the pieces seemed to hurt. Now I lashed out at everything and everyone as if I could save what was left of my ruined and broken soul.
“Are the council meetings really that long?”
Cameron chuckled as if I’d told a funny joke. “Oh, sweetheart.
Meetings with the council can take far longer, especially with all the information Samkiel has kept to himself.” His eyes roamed over me. Not in a way that made me feel uncomfortable, but to indicate that I was the information Samkiel had been keeping secret.
“They’re talking about me.” The words escaped before I knew I was going to speak them.
“That, among other things,” Xavier said, and I could tell by his tone that their discussions went deeper than just the recent destruction I had caused.
“How long have you been out here?” Cameron asked
I shrugged. “A few hours. Samkiel had shown me some trails when we went for a run. I got bored sitting at—” I bit the words off before I said home. “I got bored, so I went for a run.”
Cameron nodded and smirked again as if he knew what I’d been about to say.
“Exercising with Samkiel and surviving with no powers?” Xavier seemed surprised.
Cameron let out a low whistle, rocking back on his heels. “Gods, woman, you are impressive.”
I dropped my gaze. Impressive? Not in the least. Xavier must have picked up on my unease because he stepped before me, his voice soothing as he asked, “May I carry you, my lady?”
“My lady?” I snorted.
“Remember, she wants us to think she's a cold, emotionless monster, Xavi? Play along,” Cameron said, and I cut him a glare. Cameron's smile
only grew a fraction wider.
Xavier shook his head, still waiting for my response. He was so kind, even after all the pain I’d caused Samkiel and The Hand. I didn’t deserve his kindness.
“No, I’ll be fine.” I went to step around him, but he stopped me by stepping into my path again.
“It is a very long walk, even for us, back to the palace. It would be easier to fly, especially with that twitch in your thigh.”
I glanced down at the slim black leggings that hid the bruise I knew was
there.
How did he know?
Cameron stepped forward. “You might as well say yes. He won’t give up.”
Xavier smiled and offered me his broad hand. “I promise to be a complete gentleman.”
Kindness, when not deserved, was truly a mark of strength. I placed my hand in his, the warmth of his touch soothing. Calluses roughened his palm and fingers. Centuries of battles and swordplay had left their mark, but Xavier radiated a quiet strength that told you once you fell under his care, he would use every bit of his power to protect you. Only now, he used it to help a being who had been nothing but a burden to his family.
True kindness, true strength.
One swift motion and I was in his arms, one hand on my back, the other
under my knees.
“Comfortable?”
I nodded, and Xavier, then Cameron, shot into the sky.
OceanofPDF.com
